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There will be no Independence Day Parade, official Government functions, or State-sponsored fireworks display in Tobago to commemorate T&T’s 63rd anniversary of Independence.

The from the Office of the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly.

In a release on Saturday, it reminded the public that, in keeping with Friday’s announcement by the Government, these events have been replaced by a national day of prayer and reflection due to the current state of emergency (SoE). The Office of the Chief Secretary said as national security is listed as a Sixth Schedule matter under the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Act No 40 of 1996, the THA has no responsibility for, nor authority over, national security. “The decision to call off this year’s Independence Day celebrations therefore rests solely within the purview of the Central Government. The THA, however, stands guided by the national security intelligence provided on the matter, and will continue to align its decisions accordingly. After the Executive Council of the Tobago House of Assembly meets on...August 20, as is customary, the Chief Secretary Farley Chavez Augustine will outline Tobago’s plans for observing the day with the public,” the release stated.